My Marriage: His Debt to Another Woman Chapter 05

My Marriage: His Debt to Another Woman Chapter 05

The voices and music of the party faded into a dull roar around me.

Chloe lifted her head and saw me.

She looked at me over Jake’s shoulder, and there was no panic in her eyes. Only a flicker of triumph she couldn’t quite hide.

Then she did something I will never forget.

She rose onto her toes and pressed a kiss to the side of Jake’s jaw.

Her voice was quiet, but just loud enough for me to hear.

“Jake, I’m so glad I listened to you and stopped being so stupid.”

The words were like needles in my ears.

I stood there, my mind reeling with a single question.

What else didn’t I know?

But before I could move, Chloe’s body went limp against Jake’s.

“I feel a little dizzy…”

He immediately scooped her into his arms and pushed through the crowd toward the lounge. He never once glanced my way.

It was as if I wasn’t there. As if the shattered pie on the ground didn’t exist.

After that, I started to see more. And they stopped trying so hard to hide it.

Jake’s explanation was always the same.

“Elara, she’s different. She lost her husband. He died saving my life. She’s fragile. We have a responsibility to look after her.”

I tried to believe him.

I told myself it was just guilt. Survivor’s guilt. Not love.

I still wanted to give him a chance.

Until our first wedding anniversary.

The party was at one of his friend’s houses. We were all sitting around the living room when someone turned the conversation to us.

“So, Jake, married a year. When are we gonna hear some good news?”

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say.

They didn’t know—or rather, they all knew but pretended not to—that my husband spent half his nights in the guest room or didn’t come home at all because “Chloe’s not doing well.”

I looked down, my fingers tightening around the stem of my wineglass.

Just then, Chloe spoke up with a bright smile.

“You’ll just have to keep up with Jake’s rhythm, Elara.”

The room went quiet for a beat before erupting in laughter.

I could feel their eyes on me.

I couldn’t take it. I stood and walked straight out onto the patio.